Palin in a Bikini! In Stilletto Heels! Holding a Rifle!

We at the Morning Meeting have some ideas on why America is infatuated with Palin. And to have some fun, we have Time magazine writer Jay Small Newton. She covered Sarah Palin on the campaign trail and our own Contessa Brewer is with us as well. And, so, let us commence the conversation. [Reading off the Morning Meeting top ten list.] The tenth reason why she's people are so obsessed with her, Jay, we say is because we say she is the strongest man in the. Republican party. You agree with that?

Jay Newton Small: She is definitely the only superstar in the Republican Party has right now. She is the one drawing the crowds and the money.

Ratigan: "She’s also very hot." [Fake photo of Sarah Palin in a bikini appears onscreen.]

NEWTON-SMALL: She's very pretty.

RATIGAN: Hey, listen. That's big, wouldn't you say, Contessa?

CONTESSA BREWER: You know what? Being attractive does not hurt.

RATIGAN: Yes. "She’s also the only member of the GOP that knows how to use Twitter and Facebook." That’s actually huge.

BREWER: I actually think that is one of her best features because she is authentic. American people see her as accessible and she is using the best tools at her disposable to reach out and communicate with the people who are her best audience.

RATIGAN: I'm going to burn through a couple more of these. Hang on, for a second. [Reads from Morning Meeting Top Ten list.] "Drill, baby, drill." I don't know what you have to say about that. "Ultimate capitalist. She’ll sell anything for anybody for any reason." "She does looks like Tina Fey which makes her more attractive." This one, I like, though, Jay. "No one else can wink and smile and rip an opponent all in one breath." Pretty good skill.

NEWTON-SMALL: Absolutely. She can- she has what they call the velvet stiletto. She can rip your heart out with a big smile and looking great about it.

RATIGAN: She also, of course, sticks to her guns.

BREWER: She tends to be pretty dynamic when she is on a particular topic.

RATIGAN: Number two, she is not Bush.

BREWER: Well, there is that. That helps anybody at this point! [A fake picture of Palin holding a rifle and wearing a bikini appears onscreen. Next to it is a real picture of Cheney with a gun.]

RATIGAN: Number one, Jay, she has family drama that makes you feel better about your own.

NEWTON-SMALL: Well, certainly her headlines are more suited to People magazine than, say, Time magazine these days. But, you know, she’s- it's fascinating to watch. Levi drama, the baby, is he going to reconcile with Bristol, are they going to get married or not?

BREWER: And how do you invite him to dinner after he poses for Playgirl?

RATIGAN: He's a hockey stud.